The Olympics and the Internet, for Better or for Worse?

The Internet has changed our lives in so many ways, including the way we experience in-real-life events. It can enhance our experiences, or allow us take part in an event we may never have been able to attend in person, but that doesn’t mean the latest and greatest technology does come without down falls.

Here are 5 articles, all of different sentiments, that exhibit how the Internet has changed our experience of the Olympics– for better or for worse.

“NBC’s decision to livestream every event on the Web and via apps is a big improvement. Not for everyone! You need a cable or satellite subscription, which ain’t cheap; if your cable company is not part of the deal you’re out of luck…”

“In 2008, only 6 million people were bothering to condense their thoughts into 140 characters to share on online and micro-blogging service, Twitter. Fast-forward from Beijing to London, and Twitter has morphed into a global behemoth, now sporting more than 500 million users.”

“The London Olympics will be the most connected ever. Not only in terms of media coverage sent digitally across the world, but also the countless devices behind the scenes we’d never think of as requiring an internet connection…”

What have you enjoyed or disliked about having the Internet at your fingertips during the Olympics? Did you watch the US Women’s Gymnastics team win the Gold medal in real-time via live video-stream? Were you upset that your Twitter streamed ruined your plans to watch your Olympics after work? We want to know what you think. Tell us in the comments section below or on Twitter.

Something that we love– the Internet has not only changed the games and viewing experience, it’s enabled amazing projects in celebration of the Olympics. You can see a list on the London Festival’s Website here.